In the mood for a flooded garage? We didn’t think so. But those winter rains in Rancho Cordova can get intense, and the only thing that’s keeping all that rain water out is your garage door bottom seal. Have you checked yours out lately? Is it time to replace your garage door bottom seal?
The truth is most Californians don’t think about their garage door bottom seal until the flood comes. After a few seasons of neglect, the rubber can crack and break off, leaving gaps where water, debris, and rodents can get in. But fortunately this is a fairly easy DIY garage door repair. You can pick up the supplies at any local hardware store and complete the task in a single afternoon.
Remove the Old Seal
The first step is to remove the old seal. Disconnect the door from your garage door opener and manually lift it about 6 feet high. This will place the garage door bottom seal at eye level. Pull out the bottom seal through the gap behind the door. Pay attention to the type of seal you own. You’ll need to buy a new one at your local hardware store. The type of seal is typically named after what its cross section looks like. If the cross section looks like a ‘J’, then that’s a J type seal. Not sure which kind you have? Cut off a section of the old seal and take it to the hardware store. They should be able to help you identify the right one.
Measure How Much Seal You’ll Need
Before you head to the hardware store though, you need to know how much seal you’ll need. Measure the old seal but give yourself some wiggle room — ideally 6 inches more. It’s best to have too much rather than too little. You can always cut away the excess.
Clean Out the Retainer
Before you install the new garage door bottom seal, you’ll want to clean out the retainer or channel that will hold the seal. Take a wet cloth and clean the channel thoroughly. Once it’s clean, lubricate the area with soapy water. This will help with the next step.
Slide the Channel into the Retainer
This works best as a two person job. Fit the bulb of the seal into the channel — one person moving the seal through the channel as the other feeds it. You want 3 inches of excess seal on both sides. Fold that side back on itself and tuck it into the channel. This will help keep the seal in place.